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Fair Senior Vice President Sue Lavoie, a Big E veteran of more than 25 years, has the "task" of tasting every fair food and choosing items she believes will become the fair's "next great taste treat ... that will be smashing diets and expanding waistbands starting opening day."

Following weeks of "research," Lavoie revealed her choices, as follows, none for the faint of heart or calorie counters:

The Craz-E Breakfast Sandwich, at the Big E-Z Cafe, featuring two eggs on a glazed donut with a choice of a sausage patty or bacon, or both.

Chocolate Baconana, a creation of chef Mary Ann Brick of the Veggie Patch, is a frozen banana on a stick, dipped in chocolate and rolled in real bacon.

Deep Fried Strawberry Shortcake, from Anthony Martone of the Coffee Break, will unite cake with strawberries and whipped cream or chocolate sauce and confectionery sugar.

Three Pigs in a Bun, billed as the "Ultimate BBQ," will combine pork sausage, pulled pork and bacon on a sandwich. (Chocolate-dipped bacon will be available, too.)

Whether they will be a hit with visitors remains to be seen. Should they bomb (as did the Hot Dog in Jelly Cruller a few years ago), they will be pulled from next year's menu.

And speaking of food: Jim Victor will once again create a 600-pound sculpture under the Mallary Rotunda -- made completely of butter. This year's theme: Grown in New England.

Fast facts

Wednesday, Sept. 18, will be celebrated as Connecticut Day.

Fair hours: Gates open at 8 a.m.; buildings, Craft Common and exhibits 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Avenue of the States and nearby historic Storrowton Village, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Midway is open Sunday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Free concerts come with the option of premium reserved seating for $25. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com and Charge By Phone at 800-745-3000 and include free admission to the fair when purchased prior to the show date.

Fairs in this category feature entertainment, agricultural displays and competitions, a midway of amusement rides, children's activities, craft sales and an array of food items for purchase. All charge entrance fees. See www.ctagfairs.org.